Today we’d like to introduce you to Tasha Moore.

Hi Tasha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

I began writing in 2016 when the initial desire to publish an anthology that featured stories of youth who braved navigating the Juvenile Justice systems as I remained both inspired and galvanized by their heroic stories of resilience. After spending over 15 years serving youth and families in various communities who all had similar testimonies of unheard tragedies and triumphs, I wanted to offer a way their voices could be heard.

However, in 2019 I began working more closely in the public school systems, focusing on social-emotional components of support for students and families in ways that we often utilized books as a medium to have uncomfortable conversations about challenging life events. In seeing the lack of books that featured African American or BIPOC characters represented in an authentic storyline, I decided to shift the focus of my book writing, and then the World took a major shift of its own navigating the pandemic.

In response, I used this time to both write my book, explore publishing companies, and ultimately decide to launch my own company, WE Unite, LLC. Self-publishing allowed me to maintain control over the creative and branding aspects of my first book, “No Crying Allowed: A Boy’s Journey to Understanding Hidden Emotions”. Despite offers from traditional publishing houses, I chose to self-publish to preserve the book’s authenticity in content, imagery, and messaging, ensuring it resonated with my target audience. Publishing through my own company allowed me to retain full ownership and creative freedom. As the book gained traction, it opened doors for speaking engagements, podcasts, interviews, and training opportunities, broadening its reach and strengthening my business brand.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The journey of building WE Unite, LLC and establishing myself as a children’s book author was far from smooth, but it strengthened my resilience, grit, and determination while fostering empathy for other aspiring authors and entrepreneurs.

One major challenge was navigating the unique landscape of children’s book publishing, which differs greatly from writing for older youth or adults. Without a clear blueprint, I had to learn as I went, including finding the right individuals and platforms to manage the self-publication process. Another hurdle was building a local network of children’s book authors to gain support and collaboration.

Additionally, I faced the challenge of transitioning from being a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in youth development and community engagement to branding myself as an entrepreneur and author. Establishing credibility as an author required building a solid business foundation and reframing my expertise to position myself as both a creative and a business leader. These experiences have helped shape my perspective and approach to supporting others on similar paths.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I have over 20 years of experience in community and family engagement, youth development, and advocacy. I specialize in designing and implementing programs that foster positive change and creating systems that enable families and communities to thrive. I believe that being unwavering towards my values and ethics, which drives how I engage with any family or community that I serve, is a “Tasha” speciality, helping me to develop meaningful and impactful relationships outside of the work itself. This can be a challenge when navigating the bureaucracy and inequities often present in nonprofit and governmental sectors, but I’m known for not letting this impact the measure of quality snd authentic support being provided to those I serve.

I take pride in advancing my career through faith, obedience, and the ability to build meaningful connections, achieving leadership and directorial roles despite the competitive emphasis on graduate degrees and certifications. My Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), combined with a wealth of hands-on experience, distinguishes me in the field. What truly sets me apart is my deep passion for empowering youth and families to realize their full potential. My extensive expertise includes: 18 years in early literacy and behavioral management,
16 years in implementing family engagement initiatives and programs, and 15 years in leading systemic approaches to fostering well-rounded communities.

What do you like and dislike about the city?

What I appreciate most about Richmond, Virginia, is its continuous evolution driven by its changing demographics. Each year, I meet more people who have relocated to Richmond for career opportunities, better living costs, and broader prospects. It’s exciting to see how a small city like Richmond can have a significant influence that extends beyond its borders to impact other cities and states.

However, I hope Richmond prioritizes creating more equitable opportunities for native Virginians, ensuring that middle-class residents have access to the resources they need to grow their families and businesses. While development projects like apartment complexes, restaurants, car washes, and vape shops are on the rise, I believe Richmond should place equal emphasis on advancing community engagement initiatives and improving equitable academic opportunities. Balancing growth with inclusivity and equity is key to Richmond’s continued success.

Pricing:

• 15.99 for the children’s book No Crying Allowed

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.weunitellc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weunitellc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WEuniteLLC/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tmoore-weunitellc

Image Credits

University of Richmond, Robins School of Business